Fagan runs Boston Marathon for Shawn Thornton Foundation

Wednesday

Feb 28, 2018 at 6:02 PM

Holly Camero hcamero@wickedlocal.com @BeaconVillager

Former Maynard resident Amy Fagan was so impressed by how much good the Charity Teams do when they run for the Boston Marathon, she wanted to run again, this time for the Shawn Thornton Foundation, to benefi Parkinson's disease and cancer.

“I ran last year for one of the John Hancock nonprofit charities and was blown away by all the goodness that is done,” she said.

She hopes to raise at least $8,000 for the foundation.

What made you decide to run the 2018 Boston Marathon?

This year I wanted to run not for the experience of running the Boston Marathon but for the experience of running with the Charity Teams again. I wanted to run for a charity that meant something to me. Setting the example for my 7 and 4 year old of helping others is important.

What is the most challenging part about training?

The ice was tricky in the beginning. Having young kids can sometimes be challenging to fit in runs.

Do you have goal for a finishing time?

I would like to finish feeling good, under five hours.

Have you run the Boston Marathon before? If so, in what years?

2017

What makes this year different?

Already having one Boston behind me, I feel like I know what to expect, but really you never know what that day will bring.

Why did you select the Shawn Thornton Foundation? What does it mean to you?

Running for cancer is personal to me. I have a cousin who is thankfully in his 20s now, but when he was 3 years old he was diagnosed with cancer. Now, being a mother myself, I look back to not only what he went through but what my aunt went through as a mother. I’ve lost my maternal grandmother and other relatives to cancer. I don’t know anyone who isn’t touched by it in some way.